You be the Timbers GM: Steven Smith

We're in our third and final week of examining the Portland Timbers roster, player by player. We're asking you to vote and comment on each piece of the puzzle as a part of our You be the Timbers GM series. Every feature will be accompanied by commentary from our panel of Timbers writers.

Geoffrey C. Arnold: Stay The Scottish left back struggled early on after coming to the team in April. He started to adjust to the MLS competition and played solidly in the final month of the season. Smith will have competition at the position (Rodney Wallace?), but his play late in the season and positive attitude will help.

Rick Curwen: Stay After a shaky start to his Timbers' career, I thought Smith improved as the season wore on. Although he is easily our first choice at left back, I hope we strengthen the position by adding some depth in the off season. He was featured in the Cascadia Cup by providing the assist for Kris Boyd's first half goal against Seattle in June and won MLS Save of the Week for his clearance off the line against Vancouver in August.

&lt;a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/6680420/"&gt;Steven Smith: stay or go?&lt;/a&gt;Kip Kesgard: StaySmith got better later in the year at defensive back, and he does have an ability to support the offensive with his crosses and overlapping runs. However, he does struggle to mark on the backline from time to time. I hope that after a full training camp and time to work with his teammates, it will help him work better with his defensive teammates.

Jennifer Kesgard: Most of the time, Smith does a reasonable job. But when he doesn't, it's absolutely terrible. I'd like to see him be a bit more consistent and not make such sloppy mistakes. That near own-goal in Vancouver nearly gave me a heart attack. If he can more regularly be as good as I know he can be, I wouldn't mind him sticking around.